I'll give Sachin Tendulkar a hug when we meet next: SRK

Like in his films, SRK also has a livewire presence on the cricket field. In fact, his name is synonymous with his franchise.

Over the years, cricket lovers have seen SRK motivating his players from the dugouts or making them act with him in commercials.

His energy levels remain constant every year irrespective of his team's on-field performance. SRK talks to CS about his passion for sports:

A sporty kid

As a kid, I used to play all sports including cricket. I was a pretty good wicketkeeper. I even went to youth camp for selection. Now, when I look back I realise that it's one of those things I couldn't make a career in.

I was also an athlete. Even today, if there was an option of representing India in over-40-actors category, I'll gladly run! I used to play hockey at junior levels but that was then.

When we were shooting for Chak De! India, the younger girls were faster and often beat me! My son, Aryan is more into football and has a talent for it. I did love to see him pursue a career in sports.

Passion of a lifetime

I'm involved in this franchise for life! The way I see it, going forward, there shouldn't be just 11 players representing our nation of say 1.3 billion people.

There should be at least, perhaps, 11 lakh eligible for that exclusive spot. The ongoing cricket league provides an alternate choice for even young boys who are studying.

At the age of 16 or 18, they can tell their parents, "I want to be a professional cricketer too." Cricket in India is more than just a popular sport, but I think all sports-be it hockey, football or athletics-should be
encouraged. And that's possible only if it becomes a sponsors-backed business... a pure clean business.

Action on celluloid

In a given year, Bollywood makes 30 or so worthwhile movies and if we look back, we've made a significant number of films in the sports genre – Lagaan, Chak De! India and others. Farhan (Akhtar) is doing a movie on
Milkha Singh and someone suggested that I should do one on hockey legend, Dhyan Chand. So, let's see.

Sachin, Sachin!

Like every Indian, I am proud of Sachin's (Tendulkar) achievement of a hundred ton. I sent him a text congratulating him for this unique accomplishment. I'll give him a hug when we meet next.